Construction Starts on the Salford L-Shape Extension

Construction has begun on this modern 60m2 L-shaped house extension in Salford, Manchester with the current garage having now been demolished and cleared.

Site Progress

After having secured the building contract and planning permission for this large, L shaped modern house extension for the client. Work has now begun on-site with Kast Design and Build building the design. 

The original brick garage building and the garden area has been cleared ready for groundworks to begin.

How did we get here?

While the actual construction part of the project has just begun, the project has been a long time in the making covering the right design for the client, gaining planning permission, cost analysis on the build as well as UK building regulations. 

We've posted more about this project during these key steps in many of our guides and blog posts. But in summary:

- The design for the project landed on an L-shape house extension in order to provide all the space needed while also giving as much connection to the garden as possible.

- The project was designed in order to provide a high quality design without being unnecessarily expensive. Providing design features where they provide the biggest impact while also cost effective is a key part of this design. 

- Our journey getting planning permission with Salford council was tricky, but our tried and tested approach was able to ensure that the extension was exactly how Andrew (the client) wanted the design to be. 

Important stages in the construction of a house extension

There will be key items to be aware of as construction continues, the ones that are critical to know for people looking to build a house extensions are:

Groundworks trenches once dug out - this is usually a key stage when the building control officer (which you should have appointed) would like to inspect the holes that are ready for the foundations to your new building.

Concrete pour of foundations - this is another key stage when coordination and a building control officer visit is important. 

Build up to DPC level (or 15%) - as of October 2023, the building safety act 2022 typically means a building control officer will want to know (and likely inspect) an extension project once you've built up to DPC level (typically 2 bricks above the outside ground level). 

Primary structure installed - the installation of any steel beams, blockwork walls, lintels etc is also a key stage for inspection while it is still exposed.

Typically larger projects will have other key stages for visits and inspections, but these will be the main ones on house extensions.

How does design help for the construction of house extension projects?

The key items that helped Andrew up to this point was in balancing design expertise for practical use with building design that makes the builder's job as easy as possible on-site. 

What's The Next Steps?

We will be visiting the site in about a weeks time, photos an updates will follow of the trench dig and foundations!

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